China Unstuck — Know before you land

Before you fly What to do before going to China Five things to sort, in the order they bite — plus the one most people forget. Straight answer first, official check for each. The pre-trip checklist

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All 62 guides

Every case page, the first step out, the emergency numbers.

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Complete Kit $9.99

Full fix for all 62 + the decision tree + the offline pack.

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Answer 6 questions, see which of the 62 are likely to hit you.

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Where it goes wrong

10 guides

Pick the one that's about to happen to you.

First 24 hours

Arrival card, visa-free transit, getting online, the apps you need — step by step.

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Tax refund

Get the VAT back before you fly home. About 9% on eligible buys.

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All 62 documented sticking points

Every one has its own page: what you will see, why it happens, and the first step out — free on all 62. 12 cases are fully solved free as samples; the complete fixes, the decision tree and the offline pack are $9.99.

Payment15

Your card is declined even though it works elsewhere You picked the wrong ID type and can't change it Your name doesn't match your passport exactly Your own bank blocks the transaction Verification fails and you don't know why You can receive money but not pay Your account gets flagged for unusual activity The SMS verification code never arrives You can't add a second card Payment fails at the moment of purchase Your payment limit is too low You need a refund back to a foreign card You can't read the Chinese interface Your account is frozen You need a receipt or invoice

Trains15

12306 identity verification never completes Name entered wrong, system rejects it Payment fails at checkout Passport won't scan at the automatic gate You booked from the wrong station Your train is sold out You need to change or refund a ticket You left your passport at the hotel Tickets for a child or elderly passenger You have large luggage You need to extend your ticket on board You lost the booking confirmation You need to transfer between stations You need to contact customer service You need an invoice for the ticket

Ride-hailing12

SMS code never arrives Card declined at the end of the ride The app changes your car type at the last second The driver can't find you and calls in Chinese You were overcharged or the route was longer You left something in the car Account flagged, can't book The driver cancels on you Can't add a second payment method You need a bigger car for luggage or a group You need a receipt for the ride You can't communicate with the driver

Emergency12

You lost your passport You need a doctor who speaks English You were robbed or pickpocketed Accident, you need an ambulance Severe allergic reaction Lost or stranded at night You feel threatened or harassed You lost your phone or wallet You need to contact family urgently Natural disaster or city-wide emergency Mental health crisis Legal trouble or detained

Language & food8

The menu is all in Chinese You have a food allergy You want less spicy, not zero spicy The driver or passerby doesn't understand English You need help but don't know how to ask You need a restroom or a specific place Emergency, but you don't speak Chinese You want to be polite but don't know the words

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China Unstuck Kit — $9.99, one time

Every case page stays free to read — diagnosis and the first step, always. The kit is the packaged version: the full sequence for all 62, the decision tree, the offline pack that works with no signal, and 13 print-ready cards to hand over when words fail.

Free to read — and always will be

Payment — 15 troubleshooting fixes
Didi — 12 troubleshooting fixes
High-Speed Train — 15 troubleshooting fixes
Emergency Help — 12 scenarios
Essential Phrases — 48 phrases
First 24 hours — arrival card, visa-free transit, getting online, apps
Tax refund — get the VAT back before you fly
Ordering Decoded — read any Chinese menu

Get the kit — $9.99

One-time payment · Instant digital delivery · 12 months of updates

Illustrative images · Updated September 2026 · Based on official sources

Know before you land.

Where it goes wrong

Payment

Didi

High-Speed Train

Essential Phrases

Emergency Help

Ordering Decoded

Hotels

Seeing a doctor

First 24 hours

Tax refund

All 62 documented sticking points

China Unstuck Kit — $9.99, one time